More fence-sitting from Starmer as Labour MPs challenge deportation flight

As nearly 70 of the party’s MPs successfully campaigned to remove 30 criminals from a flight, their leader has gone quiet. Again.

Andrew Gimson’s PMQs sketch: Johnson stands on the brink of humiliation, but reaches for a recycled joke

Starmer, accused of being a total abstainer, drew blood by recalling how the PM had once run away to Afghanistan.

The Moggcast: Coming out of “an extraordinarily deep slump” is “not the time when you want to slap the economy down with higher taxes”

Plus: Our interviewee suggests that if a Brexit deal doesn’t come soon, MPs may have to sit on Christmas Day. Is he any good at singing?

Andrew Haldenby: The private sector has delivered in this crisis – creating the UK’s outstanding network of test centres

We have been so self-critical over NHS Test and Trace that we have failed to recognise an incredible public service achievement.

Richard Holden: This week’s spending review must show voters in Red Wall seats like mine that they were right to trust us

It’s vital that on education, policing and infrastructure, as much clarity is given as possible to departments as possible in terms of long-term funding.

Dean Godson: It’s easier for the right to move left on economics than for the left to move right on culture. That’s a plus for Johnson.

The sixth piece in a ConHome series this week on the Prime Minister’s Reset Moment – and what should follow from it.

Andrew Gimson’s PMQs sketch: The Commons has lost its power to hold the absent Johnson to account

Today’s proceedings were about as watchable as a game of cricket where the batsman does not actually have to face the bowling in person.

WATCH: PMQs – Devolution ‘is one of the proudest achievements of the last Labour Government’

Starmer attacks Johnson for breaking the “very broad consensus” on the constitution. The latter claims he meant the SNP’s record is the ‘disaster’.

Corbyn’s re-admission to the Labour Party shows the limits of Starmer’s power to change it

Rather than simply leaving Corbyn in limbo, the decision not to restore the whip will be seen by the hard left as another provocation.

Andrew Gimson’s PMQs sketch: Johnson the heavyweight champion parades his new boxing gloves

Starmer could not lay a glove on an opponent who felt emboldened by the discovery of fresh ways to fight the pandemic.

WATCH: Labour press the Government over the Vaccine Taskforce’s huge PR bill at PMQs

The Prime Minister says that the money was spent combating anti-vaxxers and encouraging the public to take the vaccine.

James Frayne: Perhaps the Conservatives should simply revert to being southern and posh

If they can’t make a real impact on the lives of working class voters in provincial seats, Johnson will meet the same electoral fate as Trump.

Andrew Gimson’s PMQs sketch: Johnson seduces the House, and talks away his mistakes, by promising a rosy future

There were moments when the PM made everyone from the Speaker down laugh, and most of his listeners were grateful for light relief from the crisis.

Robert Halfon: This time round, let’s keep the schools open – and not risk an epidemic of education poverty

And if the Chief Medical Officer says that the situation is rapidly becoming much worse, and that urgent action is needed, who am I to argue?

WATCH: Corbyn “should reflect on what he said” – Starmer

Labour leader defends the decision to suspend his predecessor after publication of a report into anti-semitism in the party.